Report into iPhone 3G Reception Problems Suggests Everything OK
Joy Of Tech Comic
Swedish engineers have tested the iPhone for 3G reception problems and have reported that everything is 'completely normal'.
Bluetest, a testing chamber manufacturer, performed the tests, comparing the iPhone against a Sony P1 and a Nokia N73. Whilst the Sony Ericsson came out better in results, the report noted a marginal difference of only 2dB, not enough to reveal any problem. Mats Andersson, Bluetests CEO, said:
"At a difference of 4-6 dBm one might start to wonder if there is anything wrong."
Testing environment was the latest iPhone 3G, with wireless, GPS and Bluetooth disabled, and enabled, to check for any cross-talk interference issues that may arise from any of these systems freaking havok on the iPhone's 3G Reception. Bluetest reported no difference in the results.
However, one has to wonder how reliable a 'lab test' can be. In real life, an iPhone is going to be used indoors, outdoors, under ground, inside dense buildings, and in cars, providing a challenging and multiplexed situation where anything can be causing a problem. It is here that the real results are revealed.
Customers of the iPhone have been complaining about 3G reception problems, mostly on the Optus Network in Australia. Telstra customers seem to be very happy with both their reception, and download speeds. In the US, customers nationwide are reporting all kinds of problems with dropped calls and intermittent 3G reception issues. Apple released a software update, 2.0.2, stating it would 'improve 3G reception, and some users have reported it worked, but an equal number have stated the opposite.
Last week, Jessica Smith, a resident from Alabama in the US launched a lawsuit against Apple charging them with a 'breach of warranty'. She is awaiting the courts to approve the class-action so others may join her in battling Apple's apparent neglect of decent design in the iPhone's inner circuitry.
Whether the iPhone is to blame, or the telco's is still undecided. It is a complex issue that is not easy to put down to one particular issue. But dropped calls and slow speed are unacceptable, and for those who are getting frustrated and feeling neglected, a fix must be provided soon.